Method and apparatus for using biopotentials for simultaneous multiple control functions in computer systems

ABSTRACT

A biosignal-computer-interface apparatus and method. The apparatus includes one or more devices for generating biosignals based on at least one physiological parameter of an individual, and a computer-interface device capable of performing multiple tasks, including converting the biosignals into at least one input signal, establishing a scale encompassing different levels of the input signal, multiplying the input signal into parallel control channels, dividing the scale into multiple zones for each of the parallel control channels, assigning computer commands to each individual zone of the multiple zones, and generating the computer command assigned to at least one of the individual zones if the level of the input signal is within the at least one individual zone. The individual zones can be the same or different among the parallel control channels.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/037,723, filed Mar. 19, 2008, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to computer-related technology,and more particularly to the use of biosignals of a user wishing tocontrol a computer-controllable activity or operation, includingcomputer games.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) or Neural Interface (NI) devices thatfall into the general category of Biosignal Interface (BI) technologyare gaining increasing importance for controlling electronic systems, anotable example of which is computers. Applications include biomedicalappliances such as wheelchair and sailboat controls, as well ascommunication devices allowing, for example, conversion of eye positionsto keystrokes of a word processing device. Other applications includebiofeedback devices aimed at the control of emotional states, and NIdevices to control computer games. In the broadest sense, even voicerecognition can be considered as a biosignal interface.

Biopotentials generally result from the activity-dependent change ofionic composition of any cell's cytoplasm. In an idle state, all livingcells are at a resting potential, typically −20 to −80 mV across theirmembranes versus the extracellular space. Excitation of any cell resultsin opening of selective ion channels, starting with fast sodium channelsand calcium channels, allowing extracellular Na+ to enter the cell'scytoplasm and thereby depolarize the cell to a typical range of about+100 to about +150 mV compared to the extracellular fluid. If this typeof excitation happens in multiple cells simultaneously, extracellularelectrodes can sense the difference in charge and the resultingelectrode output signals can be recorded. This type of biopotential andchanges thereof are the basis for a variety of diagnostic tools, such aselectrokardiogram (EKG), electromyogram (EMG) and electroencephalogram(EMG). The exploitation of biopotentials beyond the diagnosticapplications is emerging in prosthetic limbs, where nerve signals can bemeasured and converted into control signals for governing mechanicalmovement of artificial limbs. In addition, biofeedback has been used forthe purpose of facilitating meditation or preparing athletes forsporting events. A relatively new use of biosignals includes their usein computer games as a novel contribution to virtual reality sensation.

In the general field of using brain-based measurements as the source ofbiopotentials for diagnostic purposes, three different principles haveemerged based on the type of sensor used, namely, sensors or sensorarrays adapted for implantation into the brain (invasive sensors),implantation into the skull and against the gray matter of the brain(partially invasive), or non-invasive placement meaning that theelectrodes are simply placed on the skin. Invasive sensors have beenused to alleviate the lack of functionality in individuals that sufferfrom some type of disability, for example, as described by Hochberg etal., “Neuronal ensemble control of prosthetic devices by a human withtetraplegia,” Nature 442: 164-171(13 Jul. 2006). Most invasive sensorsare derivatives of the “Utah Array” developed by Richard A. Norman atthe University of Utah, using approximately one hundred hair-thinelectrodes to record extracellular potentials. In commercialapplications, the Cyberkinetics “Braingate” is a device that usesinvasively implanted electrodes to control wheelchairs and otherdevices. Likewise, partially invasive systems have already provenfunctional to play video games. In contrast, non-invasive electrodeshave typically been limited to use for therapeutic purposes. As taughtin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,795,724 and 7,035,686, biofeedback using color-basedneurofeedback has been employed based on the assignment of differentcolors on a computer screen to different states of neuronal activity.

Non-invasive electrodes generally need greater spatial separation forde-convoluting spatial properties of recorded signals as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,014,582 or using near-field and far-field signals asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,072. U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,698 disclosesa five or seven electrode array and the positioning of the array on theforehead of a patient to optimally separate EOG, EEG and EMG signals.U.S. Pat. No. 7,206,625 to Kutz et al. discloses a compact measuringapparatus wherein the amplifier is directly adjacent to the sensors toreduce antenna effects and improve the signal to noise ratio. U.S. Pat.No. 6,728,564 discloses a system configurable to use a classicalone-channel approach or else to alternately switch between predefinedparts of the sensor array to simulate a two-channel system for EEG andEMG measurements. The Emotive EPOC system employs a sensor arrayintegrated into a helmet-like structure to convert the amplitudes of EEGsignals into levitation of given objects in computer games and rotatingthe objects using rotational signals created by a gyroscope built intothe headset.

A recurring issue associated with the use of biosignals is that it canbe relatively difficult for a given user to control his or her brainactivity. Alpha, beta and gamma brain waves are readily accessible forsensing with EEG sensors or related devices and can be separated intosubgroups based on frequency properties. However, for most individualsit is very difficult to arbitrarily influence activity of selectedsubgroups of brain waves, especially in a time-controlled fashion.Timing of signals however is critical for most control functions,regardless of whether they are used for navigation systems or withinanother computer-related application. A case in point is the use ofbiosignals in gaming applications to trigger, for example, shooting orjumping in first person shooter (FPS) games.

In contrast to true brain waves, muscle signals can be readily andarbitrarily triggered, regardless of whether they relate to facialmovements or, for example, eye movements. On the other hand, electricalmuscle signals are difficult to separate into different channels, andtend to propagate across the body making it difficult to distinguishtheir precise origin. Even if accomplished, the user is posed with asomewhat difficult task of acquiring the necessary skills to master theexercise of different muscles without crossing over between groups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes an apparatus and method for usingbiosignals of an individual to control a computer-related technology, bywhich multiple instances of a single or a group of substantiallyidentical signals are able to be converted into multiple, complexcommand functions using signal duplication into multiple parallelchannels operable as individual computer input/control devices.

According to a first aspect of the invention, abiosignal-computer-interface apparatus is provided that includes meansfor generating biosignals based on at least one physiological parameterof an individual, and computer-interface means for performing multipletasks, including converting the biosignals into at least one inputsignal, establishing a scale encompassing different levels of the inputsignal, multiplying the input signal into parallel control channels,dividing the scale into multiple zones for each of the parallel controlchannels, assigning computer commands to individual zones of themultiple zones, and generating the computer command assigned to one ormore of the individual zones if the level of the input signal is withinthat individual zone. The individual zones can be the same or differentamong the parallel control channels in terms of the number of individualzones and ranges of the scale covered by the individual zones.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the method includesconverting biosignals into at least one input signal, assigning multiplecomputer commands to multiple individual zones of multiple parallelcontrol channels, generating at least one of the computer commands ifthe input signal exceeds a threshold of at least one of the individualzones of the parallel control channels, and simultaneously generatingthe computer commands assigned to two or more of the individual zones oftwo or more of the parallel control channels if the input signal iswithin the two or more individual zones.

The computer-interface means may be any of a variety of equipment wellknown in the computer-related art, including a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer on which specialized software is running toperform the multiple tasks, or peripheral computer hardware, specializedhardware, or any other computing/processing equipment that can bemanufactured or modified to be programmed and configured for performingthe multiple tasks through or with a computer or any othercomputer-related technology. Though it is foreseeable that invasive andpartially-invasive electrodes could be employed by the invention, aparticular aspect of the invention is the ability to use biosignalsgenerated by non-invasive types of electrodes adapted for monitoring avariety of physiological parameters, including biopotentials associatedwith muscle activity, to generate output signals capable of controllingelectronic systems, nonlimiting examples of which include gaming andother applications running on computers, communication devices,vehicles, weapon systems, etc. The invention achieves moredifferentiated controls over a given electronic system based onassigning multiple different commands to multiple individual zones ofmultiple parallel control channels whose individual zones may overlap.In this manner, it is possible to use a single biosignal as an input toproduce simple individual commands as well as complex commandscorresponding to combinations of individual commands. In particular, ifthe biosignal is at a level coinciding with two overlapping zones of twoparallel control channels, the apparatus and method are capable ofgenerating a complex control signal from the single biosignal as aresult of the biosignal being the basis for the input to both parallelcontrol channels and then generating a command that is a combination ofthe individual commands assigned to the overlapping zones.

Other aspects and advantages of this invention will be betterappreciated from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a screen shot of a configuration panel generated by softwareadapted for controlling a gaming application through multiple parallelcontrol channels on the basis of a single biological-generated signal,wherein the source of the signal has been selected as the biopotentialof a muscle or group of muscles.

FIG. 2 is another screen shot of a configuration panel generated by thesoftware, and shows the manner in which a first of the parallel controlchannels of FIG. 1 is configured into four individual zones: no actionfor inputs below the threshold of a first zone (Z1) assigned to thekeyboard character “W”, and actuation of the keyboard characters “W,”“SpaceBar” and “S” for inputs within first, second and third zones (Z1,Z2, and Z3), respectively.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are additional screen shots of configuration panelsgenerated by the software, which show the assignment of keyboardcharacters for the second and third control channels of FIG. 1,respectively, wherein “A” and “D” of the second and third controlchannels, respectively, are assigned to the same zone (Z1) and“spacebar” of both channels is assigned to another zone (Z2).

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of three tiled configuration panels generated bythe software, and shows a summary of the overlap of the individual zonesand identifies the various commands (actions) that will be input intothe gaming application as a result of the simultaneous action ofmultiples of the keystrokes of the keyboard characters assigned in FIGS.2 through 4.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram representing a biosignal-computer-interfaceapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and apparatus that can be usedto convert multiple instances of a single biosignal or a group ofsubstantially the same biosignals into multiple, complex commandfunctions using signal duplication into multiple parallel channels thateffectively serve as separate computer controller devices, each dividedinto several operational zones. The zones of one control channel canoverlap with zones in other control channels. In this manner,simultaneous commands can be created by binding, for example, differentkeyboard characters to overlapping zones of two or more controlchannels. A variety of sources are contemplated for the biosignals,though of particular interest are biopotentials, that is, electricaldischarges resulting from excitation or relaxation of nerve, muscle orskin cells.

An example of implementing the present invention will be described inreference to the dynamic range of electrical potentials that can beobtained by sensing tension in one or more groups of the user's muscles,for example, the facial muscles of a human, using a single electrode ormore preferably an array of electrodes. The dynamic range of electricalpotentials can be assigned to a tension scale of, for example, 0 to 100where 0 corresponds to substantially complete muscle relaxation and 100corresponds to a high excitation of the muscles. This scale of 1 to 100can be referred to as a biosignal input joystick, though it should beunderstood that the muscle-based biosignal can be broadly utilized as,in effect, a variety of different types of computer input/controllerdevices. In a simple example, the scale of the biosignal input joystickcan be divided into different input zones, and each input zone can bebound to a particular control function so that if the level of muscletension is within a given zone, a particular command signal is generatedthat is associated with that control function. For example, the controlfunction can be a keystroke that specifies a specific action in acomputer game, common examples of which include pressing the “W” key tomove forward (for example, the user's computer graphic representation(avatar) of himself or herself), pressing the “S” key to move backward,pressing the spacebar to jump, and similar typical key bindings used tocontrol computer games through a computer keyboard. Whenever the signaltranscends from one input zone to another, the control signal changes toanother key binding corresponding to another specific action, which maybe a different keystroke or the same keystroke with a different mode ofuse, for example, a single actuation (press and release), a dwell, ahold time duration, a repeat interval, etc., as evidenced by thenonlimiting variety of modalities included in the pull-down list in FIG.2. After leaving an input zone, the corresponding control signal isterminated by the subsequent control signal associated with the newinput zone, resulting in a single control signal being transmitted.

In computer gaming applications, many actions require combinations ofdifferent key strokes to achieve desired actions. For example, in orderto jump forward, it is necessary to press the jump (spacebar) key andthe forward (“W”) key simultaneously. Likewise, jumping backwardsrequires simultaneous pressing of the “spacebar” and “S” key. Theseactions can be achieved with the present invention by multiplying asingle biosignal input joystick (for example, tension in a single groupof muscles) into several control channels, each with multiple inputzones. The input zones of the control channels can be defined andactuated in parallel, and different keystrokes and modalities (e.g.,single, dwell, hold, repeat, etc.) can be assigned to the input zonesindependently of each other and with different level thresholds.

In the following description, the invention will be described in thecontext of its implementation in computer games and gaming applications.For the convenience of the discussion, the following keystrokes will beassumed to be bound to the following specific actions: the “W” key formoving forward, the “S” key for moving backward, the “A” key for movingto the left, the “D” key for moving to the right, and the spacebar forjumping. While the present invention is well suited for gaming usingkeyboard inputs, it is foreseeable that the invention can be implementedin a variety of other computer-related and computer-controlledactivities and operations that may be used for entertainment,diagnostic, or control-related purposes. Notable examples are thecontrol of communication devices (e.g., word processors), vehicles(e.g., wheelchairs), and weapon systems.

As an illustrative example, FIG. 1 shows a configuration panel generatedby software adapted for controlling a gaming application capable ofusing up to four control channels, identified as “joystick controllers,”on the basis of a single biosignal (while the term “joystick” will beused, it should be understood that the controllers could be used tosimulate other computer input/controller devices). The panel shows thebiosignal in the process of being selected as a muscle source from alist of possible sources that include alpha and beta brain waves, bywhich brain activity could be monitored as an input. In FIG. 2, a firstof the joystick controllers is in the process of being configured sothat the “W” keystroke (input) for the game will be activated with a“Hold” modality when the level of the signal is within a first zone (Z1)of the tension scale that has been associated with the biosignalobtained from the chosen muscle group. Furthermore, the “spacebar” keyinput for the game will be activated with a “Repeat-Hold” modality ifthe level of the signal exceeds the upper limit of Z1, coinciding with alower threshold for the next higher second zone (Z2) of the tensionscale associated with the same muscle group, and the “S” key input forthe game will be activated with a “Dwell-Repeat-Hold” modality when thelevel of the signal exceeds the lower threshold for the next higherthird zone (Z3) corresponding to the highest level of the tension scale.FIGS. 2 and 3 show additional configuration panels by which additionalkeystrokes and/or modalities are bound to tension zones that lie withinor overlap the zones assigned to the first controller. For example, thesecond controller has been configured so that its first zone (Z1) liesentirely within the first zone (Z1) of the first controller, but for adifferent keystroke and modality: the “A” keyboard character and a“Dwell-Repeat-Hold” modality. Furthermore, the second zone (Z2) of thesecond controller has been configured so that the excitation levelassociated with Z2 overlaps the first, second and third zones (Z1, Z2and Z3) of the first controller. The keystroke associated with Z2 of thesecond controller is the same as Z2 of the first controller (the“spacebar” signal) and the same modality (“Repeat-Hold”), but isdifferent than the keystrokes associated with Z1 (the “W” key) and Z3(the “S” key) of the first controller.

Based on the programming of the first and second controllers describedabove and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, if the muscle tension level within themuscle group is within Z1 of the first controller but below Z1 of thesecond controller, only the W key is actuated in accordance with theprogramming for the first controller. In the present example, thiskeystroke is associated with a forward walking command. If the muscletension level within the muscle group exceeds the lower threshold of Z1of the second controller, not only does the actuation of the “W” inputoccur in accordance with the first controller, but also the actuation ofthe “A” input occurs in accordance with the programming for the secondcontroller. In the present example, this combination of keystrokes isassociated with a leftward-forward walking command. As the muscletension level continues to rise into Z2 of the second controller, theactuation of the “spacebar” input of the second controller is combinedwith the “W” input of the first controller, the combination of whichresults in a forward jump command. However, if the muscle tension levelrises sufficiently to exceed the threshold of Z2 of the firstcontroller, only the spacebar is actuated in accordance with theprogramming for the first and second controllers, resulting in only avertical jump command. Finally, if the muscle tension level continues torise into Z3 of the first controller, the actuation of the “S” input ofthe first controller is added to the “spacebar” input of the secondcontroller, the combination of which results in a rearward jump command.In these substantially simultaneous modes of operation, the onlylimitation of the transfer rate is from the input device to thecomputer.

In the present example of FIGS. 2 through 4, the third parallel joystickcontroller has also been assigned to generate the same “spacebar” signalwithin its Z2 level for muscle tension. However, its Z1 level has beenbound to a different keystroke: the “D” keyboard character. As a result,four combinations of three quasi-simultaneous key strokes are madeavailable based on a single muscle tension input: a muscle tension levelthat simultaneously lies within Z1 of the first, second and controllers,a muscle tension level that simultaneously lies within Z1 of the firstcontroller and Z2 of the second and third controllers, a muscle tensionlevel that simultaneously lies within Z2 of the first controller and Z2of the second and third controllers, and a muscle tension level thatsimultaneously lies within Z3 of the first controller and Z2 of thesecond and third controllers. By setting the level thresholds differentfor the different control channels and assigning different modalities,for example, setting “Delay,” “Hold” and/or “Repeat” modes for eachkeystroke, a combination of keystrokes equivalent to a macro functioncan be emulated even in applications that do not support macros.

The same command button can be used in multiple instances on the same oron parallel controllers. For example, the “spacebar” can be assigned toa zone of the first controller corresponding to a muscle tension levelfrom 40% to 60% on the scale, and another zone corresponding to a muscletension level from 80% to 100% on the first controller. In this manner,a desired action sequence can be easily created, for example, walkforward—jump forward—walk backward—jump backward, by overlapping the twospacebar zones of the first controller with a forward input command zone(e.g., from 20% to 60%) and a backward input command (e.g., 60% to 100%)zone of a different controller. Any other combination of keystrokessupported by the application is possible and can be implemented at theuser's discretion. One such example is represented in FIG. 5 to includean actuation sequence of no action, run (or walk) forward (Z1 of thefirst controller only), run zigzag (alternating left and right) forward(Z1 of the first, second and third controllers), jump forward (Z1 of thefirst controller and Z2 of the second and third controllers), jump still(Z2 of the first, second and third controllers), and jump backward (Z3of the first controller and Z2 of the second and third controllers).

In view of the foregoing, FIG. 6 a block diagram representing anembodiment of a biosignal-computer-interface apparatus 10 capable ofusing a substantially uniform biosignal input to generate an electricalsignal corresponding to physiological parameters of a user 12, forexample, biopotentials generated by the muscles, nerves and/or skin ofthe user 12. The biosignal input can be isolated from noise and othersignals using standard methods, for example, as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,474,082, 5,692,517 and 6,636,763, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. The biosignal input can be sensed byone or more non-invasive electrodes 14 of a well-known type, though theuse of other types of electrodes are also within the scope of theinvention. The outputs of the electrodes 14 will typically produceanalog signals that can be digitized and sent to a computer 16, which asused herein includes general-purpose computers (for example, personalcomputers (PCs)), special-purpose computers, peripheral computerhardware, specialized hardware, or any other computing/processingequipment that can be manufactured or modified to be programmed andconfigured for performing the multiple tasks through or with a computeror any other computer-related technology. The outputs of the electrodes14 can be transmitted through a serial interface or any other suitableinterface, including but not limited to USB, Bluetooth, and IEEE1394Firewire interfaces. Software 18 (for example, gaming software) isrepresented as running on the computer 16 to transform the individualelectrode output signals into a single input signal 20, for example,corresponding to the muscle joystick assigned in FIG. 1, that reflectssignal strength. The software 18 can also be used to calibrate thesignal 20 to reflect or adjust for properties of the individual user,such as the maximum muscle tension that the user can generate for thepurpose of establishing the upper end of the 0 to 100 scale, as well asenvironmental parameters like relative humidity and temperature that canimpact the electrical properties of the skin. The 0 to 100 scale rangeof the signal 20 can then be subdivided into individual signal levels,typically in a linear or logarithmic scale. In FIGS. 2 through 4, muscletension is shown in the form of a sliding bar scale, though a dial orany other suitable visual representation could be used.

The software 18 is then used to multiply the signal 20 into any desirednumber of multiple parallel control channels 22 corresponding to thevirtual joystick controllers of FIGS. 1 through 5. The control channels22 can be defined by the software 18 and preferably use substantiallythe same scale based on the 0 to 100 scale range of the signal 20. As aresult, the muscle tension level used as the input to the parallelchannels 22 is preferably always the same. Each individual channel 22can then divide the scale into multiple zones spanning from a no/lowtension level to a high tension level, with each zone for each channel22 being assigned to a keyboard character (or, in the case of a gameapplication that can or requires use of a different controller device,some other type of control button, trigger, etc.) that when actuatedproduces a command output. Finally, the command outputs of the channels22 can be used to control a game 24 running on the computer 16 orpossibly another computer device in communication with the computer 16.Alternatively and as previously noted, the command outputs could be usedto control other types of devices and equipment, including but notlimited to communication devices, vehicles, and weapon systems.

The ability to add “Dwell,” “Repeat” and “Hold” modalities to the keysprovides an extension to the versatility of the invention. For example,FIG. 2 indicates the first controller as being configured to entail a“Hold” parameter assigned to the “W” key, a “Repeat-Hold” parameterassigned to the “spacebar” key, and a “Dwell-Repeat-Hold” parameterassigned to the “S” key. The result would be that the game's graphicalrepresentation (avatar) constantly walks forward until the signalreaches the threshold for Z2, followed by initiating the “spacebar” keyfor jumping at a repeat frequency with a specified hold down duration,both of which are preferably defined by the user. Once the signalreaches the threshold for Z3, the “S” key for walking backward isinitiated. However, because of the dwell function, the actualtransmission of the command is delayed until the dwell interval(preferably defined by the user) is satisfied. After the initial dwelldelay, the signal is repeated at the repeat frequency and hold downduration defined by the user. As a result, the player can define adelayed, slow retreat, in combination with any other controls defined onthe second controller using a single input signal. Any other combinationof modalities in combination with different keystrokes across aplurality of controllers is possible as long as the application supportsit.

A variation of the scheme outlined above could be to assign the same keyto multiple zones within one controller, but setting different repeatintervals and hold durations for the individual zones. Using a gradualincrease in keystroke frequency, a controller using the “W” key caneasily be configured to work like an accelerator in a racing game wherepower-slides and spin-outs can be triggered by assigning “S” or breakcommands on a parallel control channel. Another example would begear-shift commands in combination with acceleration and breaking on aparallel control channel.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a number ofadvantages, including: ease of use of a hands-free interface betweenbiosignals and a computer; arbitrary triggering of response based onvoluntary muscle tension, precise timing of the trigger events,multi-functionality of the same trigger zone through overlapping commandsignal assignment in parallel control channels, and flexibleconfiguration of the command structure through arbitrary assignment ofcommand signals and command modes.

While the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by oneskilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to belimited only by the following claims.

1. A biosignal-computer-interface apparatus comprising: means forgenerating biosignals based on at least one physiological parameter ofan individual; computer-interface means for converting the biosignalsinto at least one input signal, establishing a scale encompassingdifferent levels of the input signal, multiplying the input signal intoparallel control channels, dividing the scale into multiple zones foreach of the parallel control channels, assigning computer commands toindividual zones of the multiple zones, and generating the computercommand assigned to at least one of the individual zones if the level ofthe input signal is within the at least one individual zone; wherein theindividual zones can be the same or different among the parallel controlchannels.
 2. The biosignal-computer-interface apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising means for assigning different modalities toeach of the computer commands.
 3. The biosignal-computer-interfaceapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the different modalities includeat least one modality chosen from the group consisting of single, dwell,repeat, and hold functions.
 4. The biosignal-computer-interfaceapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer commands assignedto the multiple zones of the parallel control channels correspond tokeystrokes of a computer keyboard.
 5. The biosignal-computer-interfaceapparatus according to claim 4, wherein different modalities can beassigned to each of the computer commands.
 6. Thebiosignal-computer-interface apparatus according to claim 5, wherein thedifferent modalities include at least one keystroke modality chosen fromthe group consisting of single, dwell, repeat, and hold keystrokes. 7.The biosignal-computer-interface apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe generating means comprises non-invasive electrodes adapted to beplaced on the skin of the individual.
 8. Thebiosignal-computer-interface apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thegenerating means are adapted to sense muscle tension as thephysiological parameter of the individual.
 9. Thebiosignal-computer-interface apparatus according to claim 8, wherein theinput signal corresponds to muscle tension of the individual sensed bythe generating means, the scale encompasses a range of sensed muscletensions, and the multiple zones of each parallel control channel arediscrete muscle tension level ranges within the range of the sensedmuscle tensions of the scale.
 10. The biosignal-computer-interfaceapparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one individual zone ofthe multiple zones of a first of the parallel control channels isdifferent than at least one individual zone of the multiple zones of asecond of the parallel control channels, and the computer commandsgenerated by the computer-interface means comprise at least one computercommand that is a combination of the computer commands assigned to theat least one individual zone of the first parallel control channel andthe at least one individual zone of the second parallel control channel.11. The biosignal-computer-interface apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the computer commands are adapted to control a device chosenfrom the group consisting of computer, communication device, vehicles,and weapon systems.
 12. The biosignal-computer-interface apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer commands are adapted tocontrol a computer game.
 13. A method of using abiosignal-computer-interface apparatus comprising: converting biosignalsinto at least one input signal; assigning multiple computer commands tomultiple individual zones of multiple parallel control channels;generating at least one of the computer commands if the input signalexceeds a threshold of at least one of the individual zones of theparallel control channels; and simultaneously generating the computercommands assigned to two or more of the individual zones of two or moreof the parallel control channels if the input signal is within the twoor more individual zones.
 14. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising generating the biosignals based on at least one physiologicalparameter of an individual.
 15. The method according to claim 14,wherein the biosignals are generated with non-invasive electrodes placedon the skin of the individual.
 16. The method according to claim 14,wherein the physiological parameter is muscle tension.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising: establishing a scaleencompassing different levels of the input signal; multiplying the inputsignal into the parallel control channels dividing the scale into theindividual zones of each of the parallel control channels.
 18. Themethod according to claim 17, wherein the biosignals comprise at leastone biopotential of an individual.
 19. The method according to claim 18,wherein the biopotential is generated by muscle tension of theindividual, the input signal corresponds to sensed muscle tensions ofthe individual, the different levels of the input signal are within arange of the sensed muscle tensions of the individual encompassed by thescale, and the individual zones of each parallel control channel arediscrete muscle tension level ranges within the range of the sensedmuscle tensions of the scale.
 20. The method according to claim 13,further comprising assigning different modalities to each of thecomputer commands.
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein thedifferent modalities include at least one modality chosen from the groupconsisting of single, dwell, repeat, and hold functions.
 22. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein the computer commands assigned to theindividual zones of the parallel control channels correspond tokeystrokes of a computer keyboard.
 23. The method according to claim 22,further comprising assigning different modalities to at least two of thecomputer commands.
 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein thedifferent modalities include at least one keystroke modality chosen fromthe group consisting of single, dwell, repeat, and hold keystrokes. 25.The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one individual zoneof the individual zones of a first of the parallel control channels isdifferent than at least one individual zone of the individual zones of asecond of the parallel control channels, and the generated computercommands comprise at least one computer command that is a combination ofthe computer commands assigned to the at least one individual zone ofthe first parallel control channel and the at least one individual zoneof the second parallel control channel.
 26. The method according toclaim 13, further comprising using the computer commands to control adevice chosen from the group consisting of computer, communicationdevice, vehicles, and weapon systems.
 27. The method according to claim13, further comprising using the computer commands to control a computergame.